Evaluation of the Efficiency of Different Biotechnical Techniques for the Control of Varroa Mite in Eastern Amhara

This study was conduct to investigate the efficiency of certain botanical smokes against Varroa mite. In the field, four botanical smokes (Cordia Africana, Terminallia, Tobacco, Barley + Olea leaf smoke) and two control groups (Sticky bottom board only and without sticky bottom board and untreated) were tested as control agents against the parasite mite V. destructor. Throughout the treatment period, each colony received the treatments of each tested substance. Data showed that among all four tested treatments, tobacco leaf smoke followed by Terminallia leaf smokes were effective in controlling Varroa as they had an efficiency of 73.2%, 62.59%, respectively. These compounds also found to be helpful in the reduction of varroa mite load as they showed percentage of reduction of mite infestation were 63.59% and 49.84% respectively. As a result, these smokes could be employed as part of standard beekeeping procedure while working with colonies.